Review of "Start-Up Nation: the Story of Israel's Economic Miracle"

One of my continued obsessions is how we can leverage technology to reach a tipping point in human behavior for better in a scalable way; specifically, how can we help people adopt sustainable habits for health and energy conservation through the use of information technology; what prompts people to make a change - to be inspired to try something new, novel.

So, when I saw this book and the jacket proclaiming that Israel, a country of about seven million people, produces more start-up companies than any other country per capita, I was intrigued. Would I discover the secret to the innovation gap? We take it for granted that most of us aren't in fear of missing a meal or sleeping without a roof over our head. But maybe we've gone soft for lack of such challenges. Well, "Start-Up Nation" explores the innovation stimulus that exists in Isreal. I won't leave you in suspense. Life for this young country was hard. Enemies on every border, a challenging geographic landscape and a small population required a great deal of innovation to prosper. And it wasn't any one thing, but a combination of many things that contributed to Israel's success.

First, Israel benefits from a core purpose, that it would be a secure place on Earth for Jewish people. It's economy, defense and political structure was adapted to ensure that Jews from all over the world could immigrate to Israel and lead a life free from religious persecution. We all understand the benefit of a core mission in a business organization, but how does this translate to a country, made up of immigrants from all over the world with seemingly different economic motivations? Exactly. There were problems to solve relating to the countries very existence, and it was these problems that were obviously most prescient. And many of the solutions innovated for national security, food and energy were adaptable for other verticals and were monetized.

Second, given the omnipresence of national security - Israel endured multiple wars and even more threats during the last four decades - it created a mandatory military service requirement that fed a deep and wide network of professionals that lasted lifetimes. Israel's innovation broadly reaches across so many industries, but surprisingly, extends even into defense industry despite its diminutive size. Again, this was borne out of necessity, as the UAE placed an embargo on nations dealing with Israel for weapons. Like any war front, solutions needed to come quickly, and Israel created an egalitarian environment in order to spur them along. This informality ensures that good ideas aren't suppressed, and champions the best ideas.

Third, Israel had diversity of culture - due to its aggressive immigration policies - but not of character and commitment. Its people were singularly focused on solving its problems and growing the state of Israel into a viable and safe haven for Jews. Out of necessity, they innovated new technologies that enabled the growth of food, sourcing water and the development of new technologies. Failure was not a stigma but a business process that was embraced to quickly vet solutions that weren't viable. As a people, they recognized no hierarchal limitations to good ideas or questions about seemingly bad ones.

There is so much more in the book, of course, but this is my take away. Israel fosters an environment of innovation through a culture built upon the necessity of survival. Like I said, maybe Americans, overextended in expensive cars and large homes, just don't see it that way. Don't get me wrong. I'm not moving anytime soon, but I'm beginning to see some similarities in the US regarding certain seminal issues facing us. Take health care. We have no alternative to address the escalating costs and declining quality. We can't produce more doctors. New medical devices won't improve quality of life. We can only introduce efficiencies and instill sustainable habits. Those of us in health care technology liken it to a war of sorts. With any luck, we'll be as lucky as Israel and enjoy the prodigious creation of solutions to solve our ills.

The book is available at your public library and more information here: http://www.startupnationbook.com/